Lunch Break Records

So yesterday I had a bit of time between meetings on my lunch break and decided to visit Nottinghams three record shops to see if I could find anything. The first was a total bust - what is it with record shops these days I mean who's actually buying records now? Whilst there is definately a revival in the number of stores they all seem to be peddling the same Beatles reissues and Lana Del Rey records at varying prices. In fact prices is an odd one, all three record stores I visited yesterday had one record in particular priced at £18, £24 and £32 across the three stores. Very strange. Yet the most expensive store had some records cheaper than the other two. Anyway I digress...

Mutoid Man - Bleeder

So into the second store and this one snuck up on me, I really liked the first Mutoid Man record but had no idea there was a follow up doing the rounds. It said 'last copy' too so I quickly snatched it up thankful I'd found a record I actually wanted.

Once again the record sports great trippy colourful artwork and this is the red vinyl version. I've only had a couple of listens but this album is good too, it's slightly different to the first record, a bit cleaner and less 'stoner' rock but still good.

Code Orange - I Am King

It's taken me ages to pick a copy of this record up, I don't know why as I loved the first full length- you know back when they were kids - but it was worth the wait as I got it for a measly £10.

This green marble vinyl whilst probably very common looks great with the rest of the packaging too so I'm not complaining.

On to store three and I was less than hopeful of finding anything other than Mumford and Sons records and copies of AC/DC's more popular work but surprisingly I did buy three records.

Ajax - S/T

I'd heard the name of NY punks Ajax being banded around for the last year or so and made a mental note to have a listen at some point. Low and behold in a VERY small 7" section marked U.S Hardcore/Punk I found a copy of their 7" release.

It's gruff, raw punk on offer here but I can see why the name had reached my ears as I really enjoyed this record. Good stuff indeed.

Rage Against The Machine - S/T

Doesn't really need an introduction does it? I ventured over to the metal section and it was as cheap as I've ever seen the record so I decided to add it to my record collection. 

No thrills black vinyl reissue

Earth Crisis - Salvation Of Innocents

Okay, bear with me on this one. Still flicking through the metal section I noticed a familiar old name - Earth Crisis - I looked at the cover and thought 'Jesus that's terrible' and was about to put it back when something else caught my eye, the price tag!! It read £3.99! Now , don't get me wrong I haven't cared about Earth Crisis for years, decades maybe, but when I can buy a year old record for less than lunch, fuck it I'll take a chance.

I presume this had been hanging around for the past year with no takers hence the price drop.180grm blue vinyl in a gatefold sleeve. To be honest it kinda sounds how you'd expect Earth Crisis to sound now, but it's not that bad, more than listenable  and for that price I'll throw it on my shelf.

And that folks is how I spent my lunch break yesterday.

90's Hardcore Scores

Only one post so far this month?!? Bare with me folks, I'll be back getting stuff up here more regularly soon. A new job and trying to fit in some much needed social time with friends has left me with little time to blog. My passion for it hasn't dwindled though believe me and as usual the records are still coming in thick and fast. Anyway, you didn't come here to read about me, on to the records.

So a few weeks ago I noticed on eBay a dude was selling off a pretty hefty collection. I think the metal records he had were what I noticed first, but sure enough like most of our metal brothers it soon became clear he had a decent smattering of hardcore records tucked in the collection too.

Madball - Set It Off

I can't tell you how excited I was to see Madballs awesome debut full length sitting there for sale. I've wanted this ever since I started collecting again but it rarely shows up. I wasn't going to let it escape this time and I put in an absurd bid that I knew no one was going to match. Boom it was mine! No fancy coloured wax just a classic record on black vinyl.

Much to my surprise bareing in mind the age of the record I was pleased to find that the record still contained the sticker that's advertised on the front of the record which was also a nice touch.

Madball - Demonstrating My Style

The good times didn't end there, not only was the guy selling Set It Off but he also had a copy of the follow up and equally tricky to find 'Demonstrating My Style'. I'd got the two Madball LP's I didn't have in one foul swoop! 

On further inspection of the records being sold there was a few more I wanted, in the end I nabbed two more.

Black Train Jack - No Reward

Mike over at 'The One Thing That Still Holds True' wrote about Black Train Jack a couple of years ago. At the time I was intrigued because I remembered the name but had honestly never heard the band before. I listened to a couple of tracks online somewhere and made note to pick up a copy of their records if I ever got the chance.

Two years later I had the chance to pick up both records but I took my eye off the ball and missed out on the bands second record 'You're Not Alone' and someone beat me to it. I did grab the debut record 'No Reward' though. I've really enjoyed listening to the record actually, it's good stuff. I can see why at the time the band would have kinda got lost in the mix though. I still want that second record!!

Earth Crisis - Gomorrah's Season Ends

Driven by the price I also figured it would be rude not to pick up an original copy of Earth Crisis 'Gomorrah' Season Ends'. Another good record. I pretty much lost touch with Earth Crisis after 'Breed The Killers' but I do like this early stuff from the band.

In the end a great little score of four.